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Tab Clear
TypeDiet clear cola
ManufacturerThe Coca-Cola Company
OriginUnited States
Introduced1992; 33 years ago (1992)
Discontinued1994; 31 years ago (1994)
Related productsCrystal Pepsi, Tab, Coca-Cola Clear, White Coke, Zevia

Tab Clear was a variation of the Tab soft drink. It is Coca-Cola's contribution to the short-lived "clear cola" movement during the early 1990s. Tab Clear was introduced in the United States on December 14, 1992 to initially positive results,[1] and was also marketed in Britain a month later,[2] in Japan in March 1993 and in Australia in April 1993.[3] Tab Clear was, however, discontinued after only a short time of marketing in 1994.[citation needed] Unlike most other "clear" soft drinks, Tab Clear contained caffeine[1] and, according to the company, had the flavor of cola.[4][5]

Background

[edit]

After PepsiCo's introduction of Crystal Pepsi in mid-1992, Coca-Cola decided to follow suit with its own clear cola, Tab Clear, at the end of the year.[6]

In late December 1992, Coca-Cola Co. president Doug Ivester told a gathering of New York reporters that Tab Clear was being positioned as part of the "mainstream of diet soft drinks" and was "not a new-age beverage".[7] He declared:

Consumers want an alternative new soft drink with a lot of flavor. A new-age label would doom it. It would be aiming too low to go up against Crystal Pepsi and Clearly Canadian.

Production and marketing

[edit]

After positive consumer response in its initial 10 markets, it was announced on February 17, 1993, that Tab Clear would be introduced into an additional 20 American markets the coming March, increasing the drink's availability to 35 percent of the American population.[8] In an article from the Los Angeles Times, it was reported that Coca-Cola expected to have Tab Clear available nationwide by the end of the year.[9] Despite the positive results, an article published in March that year reported "one oddity about the new Tab Clear: it is only sold in cans. You would think that would eliminate one of the pop's strongest selling points--its clearness."[10]

International introductions

[edit]

Tab Clear went international only two weeks after its introduction in the United States. The clear cola with "a mouthful of flavor" was introduced at a news conference in London on January 18, 1993. The product was made available to the British public from early February that year with a trial price of 23 pence, initially in 330 ml cans and later in 1.5 and 2 litre plastic bottles. The drink was referred to as "a completely new idea in soft drinks and is unlike any other product available".[11] This made Coca-Cola the first of the two rival US soft drink global brands (Coke and Pepsi) to launch a clear cola in Europe.[12]

In early February that year, The Coca-Cola Company announced plans to introduce Tab Clear into Japan, scheduling a public introduction for mid-March. Japan became the third country to be introduced to Tab Clear.[13] On the 1st of April, The Coca-Cola Company launched Tab Clear in Australia as well.[3] In Australia, the product was a major failure. Despite a large marketing effort from the Australian arm of the company, Tab Clear sales peaked at only 1% in the month of June and declined to just 0.1% by October, by which time it was decided to discontinue the drink.[14]

Ad campaigns

[edit]

In both the US and in Britain, Coca-Cola launched a heavy ad campaign for TaB clear with Chain of Mystery[15] and Sinister Connections,[16] linking TaB Clear with unintentionally being the cause of various historical events with the slogan "Suddenly everything is clear". Several radio ads were created as well, such as an ad about TaB Clear being an "eternal paradox"[17] and an ad where "Drink TaB Clear" is discovered when a song is played backwards. In Australia, TV commercials were fronted by the popular personality Bert Newton.[18] A very different ad campaign was created in Japan with ads mostly unrelated to each other and either featuring or voiced over by a Japanese spokesman.

TaB Clear commercials were played often, sometimes twice within a short break, proof of Coca-Cola's attempt to generate quick attention for the soft drink.[citation needed]

Legacy

[edit]

In July 2004, a BBC Business News article referred to how "colourless versions" of Coke "have not been hugely successful".[19] Some have even referred to Tab Clear's marketing as a "born to die" campaign.[20]

In his 2011 book, Killing Giants: 10 Strategies to Topple the Goliath in Your Industry, Stephen Denny published an interview with former Coca-Cola Chief Marketing Officer Sergio Zyman that stated the formation and subsequent failure of Tab Clear was a deliberate move to destroy Crystal Pepsi, capitalizing on the public's lack of understanding of Pepsi's heavily marketed product. Tab Clear was marketed as a diet drink, which were less popular than traditional colas, and the Tab brand in general was seen as an inferior product to flagships like Coca-Cola or Pepsi. With Tab Clear being placed in such close proximity to Crystal Pepsi, the image of both brands would be damaged in what Zyman called a "kamikaze" strategy. "This is like a cola," Zyman explained, "but it doesn't have any color. It has all this great taste. And we said, 'No, Crystal Pepsi is actually a diet drink.' Even though it wasn't. Because Tab had the attributes of diet, which was its demise. That was its problem. It was perceived to be a medicinal drink. Within three or five months, Tab Clear was dead. And so was Crystal Pepsi."[21]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tab Clear

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tab Clear was a clear, diet announced by in December 1992 and first released in January 1993 as a variant of its longstanding Tab brand, which had been launched in 1963 as the company's first low-calorie soda. The beverage was sugar-free, calorie-free, sweetened with , and contained , offering a transparent alternative to traditional colas amid the rising popularity of "New Age" drinks. It was explicitly developed as a competitive response to PepsiCo's , a clear regular that had debuted in April 1992 and generated significant media attention. Coca-Cola tested Tab Clear in ten U.S. markets starting in January 1993, followed by a national rollout in mid-1993 and plans for international expansion. The product was marketed with the "It's Not What You Think!" to emphasize its surprising clear appearance and full cola flavor. Importantly, chose to brand it under Tab—holding less than 1% market share at the time—rather than the flagship Coke name, viewing a clear Coke as conceptually contradictory. Behind the launch was a deliberate "" strategy to the clear cola category by linking it to diet beverages, thereby confusing consumers who associated clear liquids with health-focused, low-calorie options and eroding 's premium, full-sugar positioning. Developed in just two months compared to Pepsi's 18-month effort for , Tab Clear received limited advertising support and was rolled out with minimal fanfare. Tab Clear garnered some initial interest but ultimately underperformed, securing only a minimal share of the market. Both products were discontinued by early , effectively ending the brief clear cola trend that had captivated the beverage industry in the early .

Background

Origins of Tab

Tab was introduced by in 1963 as its first diet beverage, entering the market amid a growing post-World War II emphasis on and health-conscious consumption. Developed under the codename "Project Alpha," the product was designed to capitalize on the emerging demand for low-calorie soft drinks, following the earlier success of Royal Crown's in 1958. Marketed with the encouraging consumers to "keep tabs" on their weight, Tab positioned itself as an accessible alternative for those seeking to reduce calorie intake without sacrificing the refreshment of . The original formulation of Tab relied on a saccharin-based , initially combined with until the latter's ban in due to health concerns, after which became the sole artificial . This created a distinctive flavor profile characterized by a crisp taste with subtle notes, distinguishing it from the sweeter, more caramel-forward regular . The drink's low-calorie content—approximately 1 calorie per serving—allowed it to appeal directly to dieters, and its packaging in a signature pink can further reinforced its identity as a weight-loss aid. Positioned as a direct low-calorie counterpart to regular , Tab achieved rapid popularity in the and , becoming the leading in the U.S. by the early with strong sales growth driven by television advertising that highlighted both its taste and slimming benefits. During this period, it captured a significant share of the expanding market, which saw overall category sales rise amid broader cultural shifts toward fitness and nutrition. However, the 1982 launch of , sweetened with the newer and marketed more aggressively, quickly overshadowed Tab, causing its sales to decline sharply as consumer preference shifted to the fresher-tasting newcomer. Despite this, Tab retained a loyal niche following, continuing as a favorite for those who preferred its unique profile.

Development and Formulation

In late 1992, executives, under the leadership of , decided to develop a clear diet cola as a direct response to PepsiCo's impending launch of , aiming to disrupt the emerging clear cola trend. Zyman, drawing from prior experience with , analyzed market research indicating that consumers often associated clear beverages with diet options, despite Crystal Pepsi's sugared formulation. This decision was informed by internal studies led by researcher Jerry Payne, which highlighted perceptual links between clarity and low-calorie products, providing the strategic rationale for positioning a clear variant in the diet category. The formulation of Tab Clear began with the established recipe of the original Tab diet cola, introduced in , which served as the base to minimize development costs and time. To achieve clarity, removed the coloring while preserving core components such as and as sweeteners, for stimulation, and to maintain the characteristic fizz and tangy cola taste. This straightforward modification ensured the product retained the familiar diet cola profile of Tab but aligned visually with the clear trend, without altering nutritional or flavor fundamentals. Internally, the strategy for Tab Clear was conceived as a "" effort to the entire clear cola category, with Zyman intentionally designing it as an unappealing product that would confuse consumers and tarnish competitors like by associating clear colas with inferior diet options. The plan emphasized limited promotion to underscore its deliberate lack of appeal, flooding shelves to dilute the novelty of rivals without committing significant resources to a long-term line. Coca-Cola opted to retain the Tab branding for this extension to capitalize on the existing loyalty among Tab's core consumers, particularly women who valued its longstanding reputation, while avoiding the expense and risk of building a entirely new identity. By leveraging Tab's established but declining market presence, the company could execute the disruptive strategy efficiently, using preliminary taste tests to confirm the formula's alignment with diet expectations without broader consumer validation for mass appeal.

Launch and Marketing

U.S. Introduction

Tab Clear was introduced by in the United States as a response to the emerging trend of clear beverages, marking the company's entry into the short-lived clear cola category. The product launched in 10 U.S. test markets in mid-January 1993. This initial rollout allowed Coca-Cola to gauge consumer interest before broader distribution, with nationwide availability expanding by mid-1993, during the summer months. The packaging for Tab Clear emphasized its transparent, colorless appearance to align with the "pure" image of clear sodas, featuring 12-ounce clear plastic bottles and aluminum cans that showcased the liquid inside. The design retained the familiar Tab branding with the addition of a prominent "Clear" descriptor, distinguishing it from the standard opaque Tab packaging while maintaining visual consistency with the diet cola line. This approach highlighted the product's novelty without altering the core Tab identity. Distribution of Tab Clear followed standard Coca-Cola channels, making it available through major retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores, as well as vending machines across the test and expanded markets. Priced comparably to other diet colas at the time, it was positioned for broad accessibility to everyday consumers seeking a low-calorie alternative. Production occurred in existing Coca-Cola bottling facilities, which were adapted to handle the clear variant by simply omitting the caramel coloring from the Tab formula, ensuring efficient integration into the company's manufacturing processes.

Advertising Campaigns

The advertising campaigns for Tab Clear were intentionally subdued, reflecting Coca-Cola's strategic aim to disrupt the clear cola category without elevating its overall appeal. Under the direction of , the promotion emphasized the product's status as a zero-calorie diet beverage, positioning it as a "pure" and unpretentious option rather than a glamorous novelty. This low-key approach involved limited television spots and print advertisements that highlighted its clarity as a symbol of and benefits, deliberately avoiding high-energy visuals or endorsements that could have drawn widespread attention to the emerging trend. A key element of the messaging was the slogan "More than just a clear cola," featured in commercials that described Tab Clear as having a "totally mysterious flavor," underscoring its diet attributes without focusing on the visual novelty of its transparency. These ads aired sparingly in the test markets starting in early , coinciding with the U.S. introduction, and continued with the national rollout in mid-. To further minimize hype, allocated a modest budget—significantly less than Pepsi's $40 million spend on —prioritizing targeted distribution of free samples in high-traffic areas over broad media saturation. This restrained tactic was designed to sow confusion among consumers, leading them to associate clear colas with diet formulas and thereby eroding the perceived of competitors. Zyman's oversight ensured the campaigns functioned as a "" effort, intentionally sacrificing Tab Clear's potential success to dilute Crystal Pepsi's momentum by blurring category lines and fostering skepticism about clear sodas' value. In his own words, the product was "a suicidal mission from day one," crafted to Pepsi's launch and achieve mutual market damage within months. This unorthodox promotion succeeded in its disruptive goal, as both clear colas faded rapidly without sustaining consumer interest or boosting the segment's popularity.

Market Performance

Initial Reception

Upon its debut in January 1993 across 10 U.S. markets, Tab Clear generated positive initial buzz due to its novel transparent appearance and positioning within the emerging "" beverage trend, unveiled dramatically at New York City's Hayden the previous month. marketed it as the "ultimate diet soft drink," capitalizing on the curiosity surrounding clear colas. Media coverage amplified this hype by framing Tab Clear as a direct challenger to PepsiCo's , which had launched nationally amid substantial promotional fanfare, thereby fueling short-term excitement in the category. The product's early sales reflected this novelty-driven interest, achieving approximately 0.5% of the market share before tapering. Consumer feedback highlighted the drink's taste as closely resembling the original Tab's familiar diet cola profile, with its clear formulation using the same ingredients minus coloring. However, reactions to the appearance were mixed, with some describing the transparency as "weird" or unappealing, evoking perceptions of a medicinal or unnatural product rather than a refreshing soda; in a May taste test, participants noted it as overly sweet, excessively carbonated, or chemically flavored, though one preferred its clearer hue over competitors. The beverage primarily appealed to existing Tab loyalists, a demographic historically centered on women seeking low-calorie options, rather than attracting a broad new audience, partly due to minimal advertising efforts compared to rivals' multimillion-dollar campaigns.

Competitive Dynamics

Tab Clear was strategically launched by Coca-Cola in December 1992, just ahead of Crystal Pepsi's national rollout in early 1993, as a deliberate countermeasure to PepsiCo's innovative clear cola entry. This timing allowed Coca-Cola to saturate the emerging clear cola segment and dilute Crystal Pepsi's branding by associating the novelty with an unappealing diet variant, a tactic described by Coca-Cola's then-chief marketing officer Sergio Zyman as a "kamikaze" effort intended to undermine the entire category. The strategy exploited consumer perceptions of Tab as a dated, less desirable diet soda, positioning it to confuse shoppers seeking a premium, clear alternative and thereby erode Crystal Pepsi's momentum. The introduction of Tab Clear had a pronounced negative impact on Crystal Pepsi's performance, contributing to a sharp decline in its sales and . While Crystal Pepsi initially generated $474 million in sales by March 1993, capturing about 1% of the U.S. market, its share dwindled to just 0.5% by the end of the year—only a quarter of PepsiCo's projected 2% target. This fulfilled Coca-Cola's objective of sabotaging the rival product, as Pepsi estimated total 1993 sales for Crystal Pepsi at $335 million amid growing consumer disillusionment with the clear cola concept. In comparative terms, Tab Clear's emphasis on a zero-calorie, aspartame-sweetened diet formula contrasted sharply with 's full-sugar, caffeine-free regular cola profile, allowing to target health-conscious consumers differently within the same visual trend. positioned itself as a "pure" extension of the flagship brand, appealing to those desiring a less artificial regular soda, whereas Tab Clear reinforced stereotypes, further muddling market expectations for clarity as a marker of wholesomeness. This divergence highlighted divergent approaches to health trends: leaned into perceived naturalness without sacrificing indulgence, while Tab Clear capitalized on low-calorie appeal but alienated those seeking a novel full-flavor experience. Collectively, the simultaneous pushes of Tab Clear and hastened the clear cola's demise as a viable category, with interest waning rapidly by mid-1993 as novelty faded and consumers reverted to traditional colored colas. Both products saw sustained sales erosion, leading to their withdrawal within a year and underscoring how aggressive competitive tactics can collapse an entire product fad.

International Expansion

Key International Launches

Following the initial launch of Tab Clear , where it was released in select markets in late 1992, expanded the product internationally in 1993. The debut in occurred in the , marking the first overseas rollout; the drink was introduced in on January 18, 1993, with nationwide availability beginning the following month. This launch was supported by extensive sampling and advertising campaigns to capitalize on the emerging "clear cola" trend. In the region, Tab Clear saw introductions in in March 1993 and in 1993. These expansions followed a similar strategy to the U.S. model, positioning the colorless diet as a novelty amid growing interest in transparent beverages. The international phase was brief, with most markets discontinuing Tab Clear by mid-1994 due to underwhelming sustained demand and limited similar to the U.S. experience.

Regional Adaptations

Tab Clear's international rollout retained the core U.S. formulation of a clear, aspartame- and saccharin-sweetened diet cola, with no significant modifications to the recipe for local tastes or regulatory compliance in the limited markets where it was introduced. In the United Kingdom, the product launched in January 1993 without adjustments to sweetness levels, as the existing artificial sweeteners were already approved under local food standards, allowing for a straightforward market entry in standard 330 ml cans priced at 23 pence (trial price). In , the March 1993 launch capitalized on the product's transparent appearance to appeal to consumers in a vending machine-dominated culture, where visual clarity could stand out in displays, though packaging remained in conventional sizes without reported customizations. The formula stayed unchanged, aligning with Japan's prior approval of for beverages since the 1980s, avoiding any regulatory delays. followed with a 1993 introduction, mirroring the U.S. and other markets by offering the unmodified clear diet cola, which faced no notable hurdles related to sweeteners or additives. Overall, these adaptations were minimal, focusing primarily on localized marketing rather than product reformulation, contributing to the beverage's brief global presence before discontinuation in mid-1994.

Discontinuation and Aftermath

Factors Leading to End

By early 1994, sales of Tab Clear had sharply declined, with its in the category peaking at 1% in 1993 before plummeting to 0.1% by October of that year, reflecting the rapid exhaustion of consumer interest in the clear . This drop reflected the initial novelty wearing off and consumers returning to traditional colored sodas. While Tab Clear achieved its strategic objective of undermining PepsiCo's by confusing consumers and associating clear colas with inferior diet options, the broader clear cola trend failed to generate sustained demand beyond the initial hype. Coca-Cola's , , later described the product as an intentional "kamikaze" tactic—a short-term defensive maneuver with no long-term viability—allowing the company to refocus resources on core brands such as . In response, Coca-Cola initiated a phased withdrawal of Tab Clear, with discontinuation completed in 1994 as sales proved unsustainable. Limited international sales, primarily in select markets like the and , offered negligible support and mirrored the domestic failure.

Legacy and Cultural References

Tab Clear is frequently cited in marketing literature as a prime example of a "" or "kamikaze" strategy, where intentionally launched a product designed to fail in order to undermine a competitor's initiative. orchestrated the 1992 release of Tab Clear specifically to confuse consumers about the clear cola category, positioning it as an unappealing diet beverage alongside Pepsi's , which blurred distinctions and eroded market interest in transparent colas overall. Zyman later described the effort as "a suicidal mission from day one," aimed at toppling the Goliath-like threat from without building long-term value for . Despite its short lifespan, Tab Clear has garnered occasional nostalgia among fans of 1990s beverages, though revivals have been limited compared to its rival. While no major petitions specifically targeted Tab Clear, the broader clear cola trend it helped define inspired sporadic re-releases of similar products, such as Crystal Pepsi's limited runs in 2015 and 2016, driven by online fan campaigns evoking 90s-era fad memories. Coca-Cola's own clear variants, like the 2018 Japan-exclusive , echoed the transparent aesthetic but did not revive Tab Clear itself. In , Tab Clear appears in discussions of marketing fads and corporate missteps, often highlighted in books on strategy and history. Stephen Denny's 2011 book Killing Giants: 10 Strategies to Topple the Goliath in Your Industry details Zyman's interview, framing Tab Clear as a deliberate tactic that exemplifies aggressive competitive disruption. It is also referenced in analyses of 's product failures, such as in 's 2016 overview of the company's flops, where it symbolizes the fleeting "clear craze" alongside . Though not a central subject in major documentaries, Tab Clear features in media retrospectives on consumer trends, underscoring its role in the era's obsession with purity and innovation in packaging. The product's brief existence contributed to the enduring appeal of transparent beverages, influencing later iterations in the , including clear energy drinks that capitalized on the "pure" imagery pioneered by the early 1990s clear movement. The brand itself was discontinued by in December 2020, prompting fan campaigns to revive it as of 2023, though Tab Clear has not been part of these efforts.

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/15/business/company-news-coke-adds-a-clear-cola-to-its-new-age-stable.html
  2. https://www.deseret.com/1992/12/15/19021476/coke-introduces-tab-clear-to-counter-crystal-pepsi
  3. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/547246/why-coca-cola-designed-tab-clear-fail
  4. https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/coke-finally-kills-tab-look-back-diet-sodas-legacy-including-1960s-era-sexist-ads/2288201/
  5. https://www.thetakeout.com/tab-soda-discontinued-1845393541
  6. https://www.historyofsoftdrinks.com/soft-drink-history/diet-soda-history/
  7. https://savetabsoda.com/history-of-tab-and-discontinuation/
  8. https://www.americanheritage.com/sweet-nothing-triumph-diet-soda-0
  9. https://www.coca-colacompany.com/about-us/history/diet-coke-global-premiere-1982
  10. https://www.fooddive.com/news/coca-cola-to-end-production-of-tab-soda/587180/
  11. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/save-tab-soda-interview
  12. https://marketinghistory.org/p/sergio-zyman-part-2-new-coke-end-of-marketing
  13. https://www.deseret.com/1992/12/15/19021476/coke-introduces-tab-clear-to-counter-crystal-pepsi/
  14. https://www.neworld.com/blog/2018/the-cola-wars/
  15. https://www.mashed.com/665518/the-sneaky-reason-coca-cola-created-tab-clear/
  16. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1992/12/15/coke-following-pepsis-lead-offers-a-clear-diet-soft-drink/a98b513c-5e78-433c-93de-a9ea662419cb/
  17. https://www.stephendenny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/The-Killing-Giants-Interviews-Sergio-Zyman.pdf
  18. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1993-01-31/pepsis-future-becomes-clearer
  19. https://www.minddevelopmentanddesign.com/blog/how-kamikaze-marketing-killed-crystal-pepsi/
  20. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/05/06/its-clearly-a-toss-up-no-real-winner-in-clear-cola-taste-test/
  21. https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/what-is-crystal-pepsi
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/02/business/company-news-pepsi-tries-new-diet-cola-abroad.html
  23. https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/1994/02/01/newsletter-says-coca-cola-widened/50882681007/
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/19/business/company-news-tab-clear-is-introduced-in-britain.html
  25. https://www.afr.com/companies/lets-do-launch-the-best-and-worst-new-products-of-93-19931217-kasfk
  26. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-19-fi-1529-story.html
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/business/shortcuts/2016/jan/17/fizzled-out-a-history-of-coca-cola-flops
  28. https://www.greatideasforteachingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/A-Too-Aggressive-Competitive-Marketing-Strategy.pdf
  29. https://www.portablepress.com/blog/2016/09/coke-killed-crystal-pepsi/
  30. https://www.eater.com/2016/6/29/12060240/crystal-pepsi-comeback-summer
  31. https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2018/06/12/Coca-Cola-Clear-launches-in-Japan/
  32. https://books.google.com/books?id=EdlSR-TbVtQC
  33. https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/30/business/save-tab-soda
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